Mohave County miner., 1887-09-17
Report Of the Grand Jury

To the Hon. District Court OF the Third
Judicial District of the Territory OF Ari-
zona, in and for the Countyof Mohave,
in session for the September Term
1887, Honorable Jas. Ii. Wright pre-
siding:
The Grand Jury OF said Mohave Coun-
ty respectfully report that Immediately
upon being sworn the said Jury entered
upon the discharge OF its duties and pro-
ceeded TO the investigation Of criminal
charges against Albert Tucker and Her
mann Bucksbaum. Committees were
appointed to investigate the affairs Of the
various county officials. The several
committees having completed their labors
reported to the Grand Jury which, in
joint assembly, took action upon the va
rious reports, and from the information
SO derived, and from the evidence taken
entertain the following views:
The Grand Jury recommends that a
fence be constructed around the Jail yard,
and that a jailer's room be erected,
IL was found OH examination. that the
cnunty officials have paid to tho Treas
urer the fees collected by them. az requir-
ed by law, with the exception Of the Sher.
III, who, acting upon the advice Of the
District Attorney then in Office, retained
the fees collected by him in the Justices
court cases during the years 1855 As
it is the opinion OF the present District
Attorney that these fees should have
been paid TO the Treasurer, it is recon-.
mended that the same be recovered.
The examination OF the Recorders
Office shows that there is no provision for
the safe keeping of the books and records
that at the present time these records and
books are entirely unprotected from fire
or robbery also that book ''B' OF Min |
ing Records, and book "5" OF Deeds, are
in bad condition and should be rebound |
as they contain valuable
records.
The examination of the Treasurer's
office demonstrates that the system Of
keeping the public accounts therein is
susceptible Of great improvement, and
while no information obtained from the
of the office warrants any
reprobation OF the official, the Jury rec
that the accounts In that Office
be kept in more systematic manner
and that, if necessary, new set Of books
De procured.
The Grand Jury finds that the Board
If Supervisors have awarded the contract
or the county printing to their clerk, at
It what seems TO be an exorbi.ant price,
md believe that the proceedings Of the
Board should be curta;led and made as
,rief as possible, consistent with the law.
I is recommended that greater care be
xercised over the books and papers OF
his Office than has been done in the past,
8 the absence Of many papers from the
lee, caused by either culpable design or
fticial neglect, has very much embarass. .
d the Jury in its investigation OF the al.
sirs OF the county, and perhaps prevent
d the discovery OF official misconduct
nd crime. Many irregularities and dis
repancies in the public accounts have
cen discovered hich have resulted from
10 practice of one official allowing or en-
loying another official to discharge his
uties or make entries in his books and
lis has been particularly observable in =
stances when, in contemplation OF the
W, one such official is check upon an
her.
The Jury And that in the past much
oney has been lost to the people, cans-
BY the want Of ability and integrity Of
70 officials placed in Office, and would
erefore further recommend that each
'unty official be required to keep all Of I
Is books Of accounts with circumstantial =
;curacy with respect to each and every
IN however small.
The Grand Jury condemns in unmeas.
ed terms the reprehensible practice OF
q selling or giving OF intoxicating
Iuors to Indians.
Nothing has been found in the offices
District Attorney. Probate Judge and
Q Clerk Of the Board of Supervisors to
nich attention need be directed.
The Grand Jury desires to express its
anks 10 the Judge presiding over this
'urt for his kindly attention to its wants
ID wishes; for his timely advice with
spect TO the manner OF discharging its
tiles, and for his courteous bearing in
cry other respect towards its several
embers.
Dated September 9th, 1887.
Z. I. Thomson,
Foreman.
! was born a Democrat, raised DEM